REVIEW   

Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences 2019 October;63(5):541-7

DOI: 10.23736/S0390-5616.19.04705-2

Copyright © 2019 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Neural decompression in challenging cases: advantages and disadvantages

Franziska A. SCHMIDT, Rodrigo NAVARRO-RAMIREZ, Louis CHANG, Sertac KIRNAZ, Christoph WIPPLINGER, Roger HÄRTL ✉

Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA

The peculiarity of extreme lateral interbody fusion (LLIF) is the achievement of indirect neural decompression of the spinal canal while distracting the intervertebral disc space using an interbody cage. In this manuscript we will review the potentials and limitations of this technique when treating degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. A literature search of the PubMed-National Library of Medicine was performed. Only articles in English were included. The current available literature demonstrates that LLIF is an effective method to decompress foraminal and central canal stenosis. Based on the current available literature LLIF effects on lateral recess stenosis are less consistent. The aim of this review is to provide with a thorough overview of the latest literature available and provide the audience with targeted-oriented published results that will eventually improve the decision-making process when using the LLIF technique.

KEY WORDS: Spinal fusion; Thoracic vertebrae; Lumbar vertebrae; Minimally invasive surgical procedures